Life is full of illusions driven by hopes and desires.The common people are busy in the present
time, running here and there chasing fame and fortune, but in the end they
leave the world and cannot take their wealth or possessions with them.People who chase and acquire wealth do not
necessarily live a long time simply because the effort of acquiring pointless wealth
exhausts the essence (jing) and vital force (qi).This is very sad because this unwise
expenditure shortens the lifespan considerably.In China, all the people understand that Daoism is a ‘Chinese’ philosophy
practiced even at the most local level, and that many know the names of at
least one or two famous enlightened Daoist masters.These people who became sages are special
because through correct Daoist training they purified and strengthened their
spirit (shen), their life-essence (jing), and their vital force (qi).They became Immortal and were renowned for
their miraculous feats, and because of this, many different Daoist schools were
developed.This fact explains the
diverse nature of Daoist teaching.Different Daoist practitioners came from different backgrounds, and
experienced successful self-cultivation in different ways.

However, for thousands of years there has been a central
teaching associated with Daoism entitled ‘Prolonging Life and Enduring Health’
that has been preserved and passed from one generation to the next.This practice is very precious and is viewed
as a ‘cultural treasure’ in China.In
fact so effective is this method known to have been, that it has even attracted
extensive scholarly attention from our neighbours in Japan, and from many interested
Westerners.This has led to a
superficial understanding of the history of Daoism – with its facts and figures
– but has not extended to a deep and profound penetration and essential
understanding of the Daoist method and means of practice itself.

In the past, the transmission of genuine Daoist knowledge
and wisdom was not a haphazard affair, and neither was it open to superficial
understanding or inadequate practice – as these are sicknesses associated with
the modern age.Genuine Daoist practice
was often taught in secret – away from the public gaze.Masters chose their disciples very carefully
and did not accept everyone who enquired.The successful candidates had to possess the highest virtue and had to ‘respect’
the Daoist tradition, the Daoist teachers, and the genuine Daoist
practice.They had to be willing to make
sacrifices and go through any ordeal and suffering to be successful in their
self-cultivation.Superficiality earned
them nothing and gained them no entry into any school.Needless to say, with these high standards
firmly in place, genuine students of the Dao number very few indeed.Many who consider themselves ‘Daoists’ today
are only scratching the surface and do not understand what Daoism actually
is.

If you want to study genuine Daoism, then you have to
understand what sacrifices are required.In the old days the virtuous masters of old suffered terribly in pursuance
of the genuine Dao – such was the strength of their conviction.When this is known, the efforts of the founder
of the Qianfeng Prenatal School - Zhao Bichen (and his brother Zhao Kuiyi) –
should be greatly respected.This is
because they developed a modern form of neidan – or inner cultivation.They practiced traditional Daoism and through
their arduous experience, were able to explain it so that the common people
could understand and put it into practice.Modern China has experienced a very rapid development and this has meant
that many people have become subsumed into very hectic and busy lifestyles that
do not allow much time for personal development.Qianfeng Daoism is a school that has adjusted
its approach to meet these modern circumstances.Practice still requires diligence (and
sacrifice), but it can be as simple as finding a quiet corner, reading a
Qianfeng Daoist book, and quietly working on the strengthening of shen, jing
and qi.